Health Conditions In Men Research Articles

Associations of body composition measures with circulating insulin-like growth factor-I, testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations in 16,000 men

BackgroundAdiposity is positively associated with risk of some cancer sites and other health conditions in men; however, it is unclear if endogenous hormones play a role in these associations. We examined how body composition, measured from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and common measures of adiposity (e.g., body mass index (BMI)), are related to hormone concentrations in men from the UK Biobank study.MethodsUp to 16,237 men with available body composition data (including visceral, subcutaneous, and liver fat, muscle fat infiltration (MFI), lean tissue, and common adiposity measures) and serum hormone measurements (insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and calculated free testosterone) were included. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models were used to determine the geometric mean hormone and SHBG concentrations across categories of each exposure.ResultsCommon measurements of adiposity were highly correlated with MRI measures of central and total adiposity (r = 0.76–0.91), although correlations with ectopic fat (liver fat and MFI) were lower (r = 0.43–0.54). Most adiposity measurements showed an inverse U- or J-shaped association with circulating IGF-I and free testosterone; however, MFI was linearly inversely associated, and lean tissue volume was positively associated with both IGF-I and free testosterone concentrations. All body composition measures were inversely associated with total testosterone and SHBG concentrations (relative geometric mean difference between Q5 vs. Q1: 20–30%).ConclusionOur results show that common adiposity and most MRI measures of adiposity relate similarly to serum hormone concentrations; however, associations with ectopic fat (particularly MFI) and lean tissue were different.

(099) Intersection of Sexual and Mental Health: Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in a Men's Health Clinic and Feasibility of Mental Health Surveys

Abstract Introduction Depression and general anxiety disorder (GAD) are the most prevalent mental health conditions in men, affecting 5% and 2%, respectively. 31% of men suffer depression in their lifetime and only 1/4 of men speak to a mental health professional about it. Suicide rates are 4 times higher in men and men are more likely to succeed at attempts. Men with high depression scores are nearly twice as likely to report erectile dysfunction (ED) than nondepressed men. Objective We aim to identify the prevalence of depression and GAD among patients presenting to a men's health clinic (MHC). Secondary objectives include demonstrating the feasibility of administering mental health surveys in a busy MHC to early identify men who may benefit from a referral to a mental health practitioner in order to improve overall men's health. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients presenting to a MHC during a three-month period in 2023 who completed all surveys. We measured ED and ejaculatory dysfunction severity with the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ-EJ), respectively. Screening for depression and anxiety was performed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-7) and the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire. Both questionnaires rate disease severity as mild, moderate, or severe. Linear regression models were used to compare the severity of depression and anxiety to ED severity. Non-parametric statistics were used to analyze the prevalence of mental health disorders and the reason for the patient’s visit to the men’s health clinic. Referral to a mental health specialist was offered for any patients meeting scoring criteria. Results We identified 255 men (77% white, 18% black, 5% Asian, and 94% non-Hispanic) with a median age of 48 years (IQR: 33-64) and a BMI of 28 (IQR: 25-32). Overall, 63% of men had some ED, while 88% had some degree of ejaculatory dysfunction. Prevalence of depression and GAD was 15% and 11%, respectively. A linear regression model showed that as ED severity increases, so does depression severity (F [1, 244] = 13.53, p = .0001, coefficient: 0.15, R-squared: 0.05) and anxiety severity (F [1, 244] = 5.93, p=0.02, coefficient: 0.08, R-squared: 0.02). The study found no significant correlation between prevalence of depression and the reason for the patients' visits to the MHC: ED (17%, 20/117), hypogonadism (22%, 26/120), Peyronie's (28%, 7/25), fertility evaluation (33%, 5/15), varicocele (30%, 8/27), and vasectomy evaluation (5%, 1/21) (p=0.27). Conclusions The prevalence of depression and GAD among men attending a MHC is higher than that of the general male population. The degree of ED and its association with the severity of depression and anxiety emphasizes the importance of addressing both sexual and mental health in the context of men's healthcare. ED should be considered a multifactorial condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, especially when depression is present. Patients reporting ED should be routinely screened for depression. Administration of mental health surveys in a MHC is feasible and helps guide early referral to a mental health specialist. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Boston Scientific, Coloplast and BK Ultrasound.

Religion and ethnicity interaction as a predictor of male fertility in Nigeria: Evidence from a national representative sample.

High fertility constitutes a challenge to men's health conditions in Nigeria, a low-income country. Religion and ethnicity are central to the current Male Fertility (MF) level in Nigeria. This study determined the relationship between Male Fertility (MF) and Religion Ethnic Interaction (REI) amidst other socio-demographic characteristics in Nigeria. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data, 2018 was used. Men aged 15-59 years [n = 8,786] were sampled using a multi-stage approach. Fertility was measured by the number of Children Ever Born (CEB). REI was generated using the combination of religion and ethnic groups; Hausa/Fulani Muslim, Igbo Christian, Yoruba Christian, and Yoruba Muslim. However, Hausa/Fulani Christians and Igbo Muslims were excluded from this study because a few men in these categories were available in the original sample. Weighted data were analyzed using the Negative Binomial (NB) model (α0.05). The mean age and CEB of the men were 32.9±12.0 years and 3.18±4.4 respectively. The mean CEB among men aged 45-59 years was highest among Hausa/Fulani Muslims (x = 11.57±5.98), but least among Yoruba Christians (x = 4.44±2.67). About 33.4% of the Hausa/Fulani Muslims had had ≥5 children, while 13.7% were reported among the Yoruba Christian men (p<0.001). The fertility Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) was higher among Hausa/Fulani Muslims, but less among Igbo Christians, and Yoruba Christians than Yoruba Muslims. Restricting the analyzed data to only monogamous men revealed no significant differences in the fertility IRR of Yoruba Christians and Yoruba Muslims, but the fertility IRR was significantly higher among the Hausa/Fulani Muslims than Yoruba Muslims. A disparity exists in MF across the REI groups with the Hausa/Fulani Muslims being the major contributors to high MF. Therefore, bridging the gap in access to fertility control measures and programmes that might have resulted from religion and ethnic differences will reduce male fertility level in Nigeria.

(548) NIH Funding Trends for Men's and Women's Urologic Conditions

Abstract Introduction Existing literature reports a general trend of increasing National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for surgeon-scientists in America and shows that urology has not benefited from this trend. NIH funding for urologists continues to lag behind that of our peers in other surgical specialties. Between 2010-2019 urology departments received the second-lowest amount of NIH funding of all surgical specialties, only above plastic surgery. The literature also shows that NIH awards significantly less money to male cancer research (i.e., prostate cancer) than female cancer research (i.e., breast cancer). We sought to explore further gender-specific grant variation within NIH urologic funding by exploring dollars awarded to benign gender-specific non-cancer topics of urologic research. We hypothesized that an NIH funding disparity would exist between men’s health urologic research and research devoted to women’s health urologic issues. Objective To explore NIH funding trends for men's and women's urologic health conditions via the NIH Reporter database Methods We used the publicly available NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures and Results (NIH RePORTER) to perform our data collection. NIH RePORTER is an online search tool of the repository of NIH-funded research projects and is linked to publications, patents and clinical trials resulting from NIH funding. Data was queried for a ten-year period between 2012-2021. We used uniform search parameters including “Department Type: urology” to filter for publications from departments of urology, “Funding Mechanism: research project grant” to eliminate R&amp;D, and “Award Type: new” to capture only first-time awards in our search period. All authors were included in our search, which encompassed both trainees and non-trainees independent of Activity Code. We selected four women’s urological health issues and four men’s urological health issues to guide a keyword search. Our women’s urological health issues included overactive bladder, incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. In addition, we queried the NIH Spending Category of “Women’s Health”. Our men’s urological health issues include erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, hypogonadism and male stress incontinence. Search terms related to these health conditions were used to query project title, projects terms and project abstracts in the NIH RePORTER. Results Results of our research findings are summarized in Table 1. Of the 12 projects identified that exclusively investigate either a men’s health condition or a women’s health condition, 7 focused on men’s health and 5 on women’s health. NIH spending on women’s health issues exceeded that for men's health conditions by $833,964, a 51% difference, even though fewer projects were identified related to women’s health conditions. Overall, fewer gender-exclusive projects were found than expected. For example, incontinence projects frequently included both male and female-bodied participants. Conclusions NIH appears to devote substantially less funding for investigating benign urologic men’s health issues than benign urologic women’s health issues. Further examination of this funding gap is warranted, and if confirmed it would be prudent to improve NIH urologic funding in general and men’s health research funding specifically. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Coloplast.

(116) Comorbidity Profile Network Analysis of Men with Erectile Dysfunction

Abstract Introduction The modern understanding of the comorbidities associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) has been shaped by the findings of decades-old survey-based epidemiologic studies. The demographic structure and comorbidities of the United States population have since changed. A contemporary assessment of the comorbidity profile of men with ED is timely and indispensable for the efficient care of these men. Objective The objectives are to describe the comorbidity profile of a contemporary cross-section of men with erectile dysfunction, to identify clinically meaningful health trends, and to evaluate whether clusters of men with distinct comorbidity profiles can be discerned. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of the MarketScan® administrative claims database from 2008 to 2019 was performed. Inclusion criteria were men 18 to 64 years of age with a diagnosis of ED or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) prescription with at least 1 year of enrollment before the index date, as well as age-matched controls without an ED diagnosis or related prescription. Comorbidities were extracted by ICD-9/10 diagnosis codes and categorized by the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. The trends in prevalence of comorbidities and odds of comorbidity diagnosis, overall and by age group, were analyzed. To elucidate the relationships between common comorbidities, a novel comorbidity network was performed with comorbidity strength estimated by observed-to-expected ratio (OER) of disease (prevalence &amp;gt; 0.01) in pairs with a comorbid prevalence &amp;gt; 0.001. Results The prevalence of all comorbidities in men with and without ED increased over the study period. The five most prevalent comorbidities (and percentage increase) among men with ED were hypertension (108%), diabetes without complication (78%), obesity (357%), chronic pulmonary disease (124%), and depression (164%) (Figure 1). The association of ED with comorbidities such as complicated diabetes and paralysis tended to be more pronounced among men in the younger cohort (18-45 years of age, vs 46-64 years of age) (Figure 2). Between 2008 and 2014, a generalized increase in the strength of association of ED with prevalent comorbidities is observed (Figure 3). Conclusions The comorbidity profile of men with ED has evolved since its initial characterization nearly 30 years ago. Increases in comorbidities associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, as well as mental health disorders, are particularly notable. The findings illustrate the complex interplay of chronic health conditions in men with ED, and serve to justify the comprehensive evaluation of men of all ages who present with ED. Disclosure No

Online Symptom Checkers are Poor Tools for Diagnosing Men's Health Conditions

ObjectiveTo analyze the accuracy of the 4 most commonly used online symptom checkers (OSCs) in diagnosing erectile dysfunction (ED), scrotal pain (SP), Peyronie's disease (PD), and low testosterone (LT). Methods and OutcomesOne-hundred and sixty artificial vignettes were created by de-identifying recent initial outpatient consults presenting to discuss ED (40), SP (40), PD (40), and LT (40). The vignettes were entered into the 4 most frequently used OSCs (WebMD, MedicineNet, EverydayHealth, and SutterHealth) as determined by web traffic analysis tools. The top 5 conditions listed in the OSC differential diagnosis were recorded and scored. ResultsWebMD's accuracy for ED, SP, PD, and LT vignettes was 0%, 22.5%, 0%, and 95%, respectively.EverydayHealth was only able to diagnose SP 20% of the time, and failed to diagnose ED, PD, or LT on all occasions.MedicineNet diagnosed ED, PD, SP, and LT in 100%, 98%, 27.5%, and 0% of vignettes, respectively.SutterHealth correctly diagnosed ED, SP, and LT in 100%, 20%, and 80% of patients, respectively.Cumulatively, the OSCs were most accurate in diagnosing ED and least accurate in diagnosing SP when using the Top 1 (37.5% vs 6.9%) and Top 5 (50% vs 24.5%) of the suggested conditions. ConclusionNo OSC could accurately diagnose all the conditions tested. The OSCs, on average, were poor at suggesting precise diagnoses for ED, PD, LT, SP. Patients and practitioners should be cautioned regarding the accuracy of OSCs.

MP21-01 CONTEMPORARY COMORBIDITY PROFILE OF MEN WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 May 2022MP21-01 CONTEMPORARY COMORBIDITY PROFILE OF MEN WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION Garrick Greear, Tristan Nicholson, Sarah Holt, Marah Hehemann, Hunter Wessells, and Thomas Walsh Garrick GreearGarrick Greear More articles by this author , Tristan NicholsonTristan Nicholson More articles by this author , Sarah HoltSarah Holt More articles by this author , Marah HehemannMarah Hehemann More articles by this author , Hunter WessellsHunter Wessells More articles by this author , and Thomas WalshThomas Walsh More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002554.01AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The modern understanding of the comorbidities associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) was shaped by decades-old survey-based epidemiologic studies. The demographics and comorbidities of the United States population have since changed. A contemporary assessment of the comorbidity profile of men with ED is timely and indispensable for the efficient care of these men. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of the MarketScan® administrative claims database from 2008 to 2019 was performed. Inclusion criteria were men 18 to 64 years of age with a diagnosis of ED or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) prescription with ≥1 year of enrollment, as well as age-matched controls without an ED diagnosis or related prescription. Comorbidities were extracted by ICD-9/10 diagnosis codes and categorized by the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. The trends in prevalence of comorbidities and odds of comorbidity diagnosis, overall and by age group, were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of all comorbidities in men with and without ED increased over the study period. The five most prevalent comorbidities (and percentage increase) among men with ED were hypertension (108%), diabetes (78%), obesity (357%), chronic pulmonary disease (124%), and depression (164%). The association of ED with comorbidities such as complicated diabetes and paralysis was more pronounced among younger men (age 18-45 years vs 46-64 years). CONCLUSIONS: The comorbidity profile of men with ED has evolved since its initial characterization nearly 30 years ago. Increases in diseases associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, as well as mental health disorders, are particularly notable. The findings illustrate the complex interplay of chronic health conditions in men with ED, and serve to justify the comprehensive evaluation of all men who present with ED. Source of Funding: None © 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 207Issue Supplement 5May 2022Page: e326 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Garrick Greear More articles by this author Tristan Nicholson More articles by this author Sarah Holt More articles by this author Marah Hehemann More articles by this author Hunter Wessells More articles by this author Thomas Walsh More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...

Cost Analysis of Online Telehealth Platforms Offering Testosterone Therapy

ABSTRACT Introduction Online telehealth platforms are becoming increasingly common across several areas of medicine, including those related to men's health conditions. These ventures now offer virtual services for the evaluation of testosterone deficiency and treatment via the online sale of testosterone therapy (TTh). Objective We sought to compare the cost of undergoing virtual evaluation and treatment with TTh via online telehealth platforms, as compared to what may be offered by a board-certified urologist following the American Urologic Association (AUA) guidelines at a tertiary care center. Methods Google was queried to identify platforms that offer an online consultation and prescription service for TTh. Platforms that did not provide transparency of services including details of the initial consultation, laboratory work, type of medication offered, and associated fees on the company website were excluded. Information regarding the type of providers used, services and laboratory work included in the initial consultation, and price for the evaluation and three months of treatment with TTh were gathered. These were compared to the services and prices that a board-certified urologist at a tertiary care center may offer while following the AUA guidelines for the evaluation and management of testosterone deficiency. Costs for services at the tertiary care center were estimated using a single institution's online cost estimator1 for a patient with no insurance, a patient with basic employee insurance, and a patient with Medicare. Results A total of three online platforms met inclusion criteria: Hone, Regenex Health, and TRT Nation. The services provided for the initial evaluation and for follow up of patients on TTh were similar between the online platforms and those suggested by AUA guidelines (Table 1). The cost of the initial consultation including laboratory services were lowest for the patient with Medicare at a tertiary center ($0) and via the online platform, Hone ($45.00) (Table 2). The estimated cost for three months of treatment with TRT including follow up was lowest among the patient with Medicare ($32.79) and the patient with basic employee insurance ($192.58) at the tertiary center (Table 3). The cost of three months of treatment and follow up was highest via the online platform Regenex Health ($1,059.00). Conclusions While online telehealth platforms may offer a cost benefit in the initial consultation and evaluation for TRT for some patients, the cost of ongoing treatment greatly exceeds that which may be obtained at a tertiary care center for patients with basic insurance plans or Medicare. Patients without insurance may encounter a high cost of initial evaluation at a tertiary center, however, ongoing follow up and medication costs for these patients is likely similar between select online platforms and a tertiary center. Disclosure No

Assessing Online Symptom Checker Accuracy in Diagnosing Men's Health Conditions

ABSTRACT Introduction Many medical sites offer algorithm-based tools where patients can enter symptoms to receive potential diagnoses. The efficacy of these online symptom checkers (OSCs) in properly diagnosing male sexual health issues has not been explored. Objective We analyzed the accuracy of the four most commonly used OSCs in diagnosing erectile dysfunction (ED), scrotal pain (SP), Peyronie's disease (PD), and low testosterone (LT). Methods One-hundred and sixty artificial vignettes were created by de-identifying recent initial outpatient consults presenting to discuss ED (40), SP (40), PD (40), and LT (40). ED and PD were selected for assessment because they were straightforward diagnosis. In contrast, SP and LT was selected because of varied etiologies and clinical presentations. The vignettes were entered into the 4 most frequently used OSCs as determined by web traffic analysis tools. The top 4 OSCs in order of use are WebMD (WMD), MedicineNet (MN), Everyday Health (EH) and Sutter Health (SH). The top 5 conditions listed in the OSC differential diagnosis were recorded and scored. If less than 5 conditions were offered, the available conditions were recorded and scored. The primary outcome was the accuracy of primary (Top 1) condition listed. The secondary outcome was frequency of the correct diagnosis appearing in the Top 3, or 5 of the suggested conditions. Results WMD did not offer the correct diagnosis for any ED or PD regardless of the number of conditions included from the differential vignettes (Table 1). However, WMD did successfully diagnose SP and LT in 22.5% and 95% of patients, respectively. Comparatively, EH was only able to diagnose SP 20% of the time, and failed to diagnose ED, PD, or LT on all occasions. MN successfully diagnosed ED, PD, SP, and LT in 100%, 98%, 27.5%, and 0% of patients, respectively. On average, MN was the most accurate OSC when including Top 1 (48.25%), Top 3 (53.88%), and Top 5 (56%) suggested conditions. Lastly, SH saw the largest overall improvement in accuracy when using the Top 5 suggested conditions compared to Top 1 (50% vs. 18%). SH correctly diagnosed ED, SP, and LT in 100%, 20%, and 80% of patients, respectively. The OSCs were most accurate diagnosing ED and least accurate diagnosing SP when using the Top 1 (37.5% vs. 6.88%), Top 3 (47.5% vs. 17.5%) and Top 5 (50% vs. 24.5%) of the suggested conditions. Conclusions WebMD, which receives nearly five times the web traffic of the next leading online symptom checker, and Everyday Health were both incapable of diagnosing ED and PD in this series. Only MedicineNet offered diagnoses for PD. All OSCs were routinely poor at suggesting precise diagnoses for scrotal pain, even when including 5 potential options in the differential. LT was only diagnosed by WMD and SH. Patients should be cautioned regarding the accuracy of OSCs. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Coloplast

"Doc, if it were you, what would you do?": a survey of Men's Health specialists' personal preferences regarding treatment modalities.

Men's Health is a urological subspecialty that is at the forefront of innovation, but little data exist evaluating the attitudes that andrologists have toward the current treatment modalities available for managing Men's Health conditions. A survey of 37 questions asking what providers would choose as treatment for common conditions was distributed online via Survey Monkey to members of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and European Society for Sexual Medicine. A total of 115 respondents completed the survey after an initial screening question. For erectile dysfunction (ED), 40%, 38%, and 33% of providers indicated that they would use tadalafil daily, tadalafil on demand, or sildenafil on demand, respectively, as first-line phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor therapy. Furthermore, a total of 74% would elect to undergo low-intensity shockwave therapy [67%], platelet rich plasma injections [15%], and stem cell injections [15%]. Sex/behavioral therapy was preferred for both premature (36%) and delayed (52%) ejaculation. Approximately 44% of respondents indicated that they would undergo Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum injections for Peyronie's Disease in the acute phase. In the setting of hypogonadal symptoms with borderline low total testosterone levels (300-400 ng/dL), 69% of respondents would pursue testosterone therapy. The prostatic lift procedure was the preferred procedure for men seeking symptom resolution with preservation of ejaculatory function. Many Men's Health specialists would pursue the least invasive options before considering procedural intervention for any given condition. Providers may shift their treatment preferences toward newer treatment modalities as longer term data become available.

A review of the evolving landscape between the consumer Internet and men's health.

Internet adoption continues to increase as broadband access and mobile connectivity penetrate developing global markets. Alongside increasing adoption, the Internet continues to evolve and usher in new modes of user interaction. Social media and search engines have facilitated the emergence of the participatory web, in which users are able to contribute content, form online communities, and disseminate information. This participatory web is reshaping the patient-physician relationship as patients are able to search for medical information, directly engage with healthcare practitioners through social media, and make therapeutic decisions via online marketplaces. The ability for patients to self-diagnose and self-treat is highly relevant to andrology, given that men have a baseline reluctance to visit healthcare providers. Furthermore, men’s health issues such as erectile dysfunction and male infertility are stigmatized, with men turning to the Internet for guidance. The focus of this review is to survey the academic literature that evaluates the quality of online content for four common men’s health conditions: hypogonadism, male infertility, erectile dysfunction, and Peyronie’s disease.

Relationship between paternal somatic health and assisted reproductive technology outcomes

To study the association between paternal medical comorbidities and the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Retrospective cohort study. Academic reproductive medicine center. We analyzed fresh ART cycles uszing freshly ejaculated sperm from the male partner of couples undergoing ART cycles from 2004 until 2014. We recorded patient and partner demographic characteristics. The cohort was linked to hospital billing data to obtain information on selected male partners' comorbidities identified using ICD-9-CM codes. None. Fertilization, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, implantation, and live-birth rates as well as birth weights and gestational ages. In all, we identified 2,690 men who underwent 5,037 fresh ART cycles. Twenty-seven percent of men had at least one medical diagnosis. Men with nervous system diseases had on average lower pregnancy rates (23% vs. 30%) and live-birth rates (15% vs. 23%) than men without nervous system diseases. Lower fertilization rates were also observed among men with respiratory diseases (61% vs. 64%) and musculoskeletal diseases (61% vs. 64%) relative to those without these diseases. In addition, men with diseases of the endocrine system had smaller children (2,970 vs. 3,210g) than men without such diseases. Finally, men with mental disorders had children born at an earlier gestational age (36.5 vs. 38.0weeks). The current report identified a possible relationship between a man's health history and IVF outcomes. As these are potentially modifiable factors, further research should determine whether treatment for men's health conditions may improve or impair IVF outcomes.

Consumption of fruit and vegetables and the health conditions of men and women attended in the primary healthcare network

This cross-sectional study sought to analyze the associations between health conditions and the inadequate consumption of fruit and vegetables (FV) of 1,255 men and women attended in Primary Healthcare Units in Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais). Data collection included FV consumption, socioeconomic status and health conditions. Results are presented by prevalence ratio (PR) with a confidence interval of 95% (CI 95%). A 77.5% (CI 95%: 75.1%-79.8%) of inadequacy of consumption (< 5 daily servings) was found and it was more prevalent among men (83.8%, CI 95%: 79.0%-88.5% than among women: 76.0%, CI 95%: 73.4%-78.6%). For women, the inadequate consumption of FV was higher among those with poor perception of health quality (PR: 1.37; CI 95%: 1.19-1.59) and among those who consider their dietary habits as being unhealthy (PR: 1.15; CI 95%: 1.07-1.24). For men, the inadequate consumption was higher between individuals that reported 2 to 4 visits to the doctor in the year prior to the interview (PR: 1.21; CI 95%: 1.06-1.21). The conclusions showed that the consumption of FV among the population under study is below the recommendations and the health conditions are associated differently for each gender.

Social demographic aspects and self-referred health conditions of men attending a health care unit

This study aimed at characterizing social demographic aspects and health conditions of men attending a Primary Family Health Care unit in Montes Claros, MG, Brazil, correlating these variables with health self-perception and identifying men’s difficulty in using the health service. 115 adult men were interviewed who had attended the service in April and May, 2013. Most of them had completed high school, were married and adopted healthy practices, although they consumed alcoholic beverages. The main complaint regarding the health service was the long waiting time for attendance. The main factors that contributed for negative self-perception of health were: being married, suffering from chronic diseases and having low education; whereas those that contributed to the positive self-perception of health were: being young, being employed and not making regular use of medication (p<0.05). Those findings can subsidize policies to prevent diseases in promoting men’s health.

How much does it hurt to be lonely? Mental and physical differences between older men and women in the KORA‐Age Study

Loneliness has a deep impact on quality of life in older people. Findings on sex-specific differences on the experience of loneliness remain sparse. This study compared the intensity of and factors associated with loneliness between men and women. Analyses are based on the 2008/2009 data of the KORA-Age Study, comprising 4127 participants in the age range of 64-94 years. An age-stratified random subsample of 1079 subjects participated in a face-to-face interview. Loneliness was measured by using a short German version of the UCLA-Loneliness-Scale (12 items, Likert scaled, ranging from 0 to 36 points). Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the associations of socio-demographic, physical, and psychological factors with loneliness. The mean level of loneliness did not significantly differ between men (17.0 ± 4.5) and women (17.5 ± 5.1). However, among the oldest old (≥85 years), loneliness was higher in women (p value = 0.047). Depression, low satisfaction with life, and low resilience were associated significantly with loneliness, which was more pronounced in men. Living alone was not associated with loneliness, whereas lower social network was associated with a three time higher risk for feeling lonely in both men and women. The extent of loneliness was equally distributed between men and women, although women were more disadvantaged regarding living arrangements as well as physical and mental health. However, loneliness was stronger associated with adverse mental health conditions in men. These findings should be considered when developing intervention strategies to reduce loneliness.

Difference in social determinants of health between men in the poor and the wealthy social strata in a Caribbean nation.

Background:Studies that have examined social determinants of health have made their investigations on the population, but none have reviewed them from the perspective of particular social hierarchies.Aim:The study examined the factors determining the self-reported health of men of different socioeconomic status, by using models derived through econometric analyses.Materials & Methods:The study used a sample of 6,474 respondents: 2,704 from the two poor quintiles and 3,770 from the two wealthy quintiles. The survey used a random stratified probability sampling technique and involved the use of self-administered questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression technique was used to identify variables which are associated with health conditions of men in the two social hierarchies.Results:The findings revealed that the self-reported health of men in the two wealthiest quintiles were substantially influenced by private health insurance coverage (Odds Ratio (OR) = 32.9, 95%CI: 20.64, 52.45) and age of respondents (OR = 1.03, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.04) This was similar for men in the two poorest income quintiles; private health insurance coverage (OR = 16.97, 95%CI: 10.18, 28.27) and age (OR=1.05, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.06). Negative affective psychological conditions, consumption and medical expenditure affected the self-reported health of those in the two wealthiest quintiles, while positive affective, secondary levels of education and living alone influenced those in the two poorest quintiles.Conclusion:This research serves as a foundation for further work relating to the determinants of self-reported health conditions, inequity across socio-economic strata for men, and how patient care should be addressed.

Relationship between Lifestyle and Oral Health in Chinese Elderly

Oral health is very important particularly for elderly to live happily. The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between lifestyle and oral health in Chinese elderly. The subjects were 96 men (mean +/- SD: 70.1 +/- 4.9) and 92 women (70.7 +/- 5.4). Oral health status was evaluated according to the numbers of remaining, intact, treated, and untreated teeth and score in WHO's CPI code. By carrying out a questionnaire survey, we evaluated lifestyle factors, such as stress (SCL-S), smoking habits, drinking habit, sleeping hours, sports, snack habit, and tooth brushing habit. Logistic regression analysis was used in analyzing the data. By multi-logistic regression analysis, men who smoke were more likely to have a lower CPI score than those who do not {odds ratio (OR) = 4.69, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.79-27.89, p < .10}. Men who brush their teeth less than once a day are less likely to have a lower CPI score than those who brush their teeth more than twice a day (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.09-1.22, p < .10). On the other hand, women who experience much stress are more likely to have a lower CPI score than women who experience little stress (OR = 5.59, 95% CI = 1.29-24.15, p < .05). The study indicated that smoking may affect oral health conditions in men, whereas stress may affect oral health conditions in women. The reduction in stress and abstinence from smoking are important in maintaining good oral health in Chinese elderly.